Thailand's royal family has made a rare statement to express concern over violence in the country's south.

A spokesman for the prime minister said the sentiments of Queen Sirikit were conveyed to the Thai leader.

The latest attacks targeted Buddhist temples

Thailand's royal family is greatly revered, but rarely makes comments on any subject which might be construed as political.

This is the second time that the royals have broken their silence on the problems facing Thailand's Muslim majority south.

Violence resurfaced there at the start of the year, but reached a new level of intensity when more than 100 people were killed when co-ordinated attacks were launched against security posts at the end of last month.

More than 30 were killed inside a mosque.

THAILAND'S TROUBLED SOUTH

Militant violence reported in three provinces on 29 April: Yala, Songkhla and Pattani